“American Idol”: Lady Gaga brings the drama to Durbin and company

She urged one singer to get a “little psycho” and instructed another to treat the microphone like his girlfriend. Yes, Lady Gaga was in the house on “American Idol” Wednesday night, pushing boundaries and bringing her own brand of crazy.

The eccentric pop superstar showed up for her mentoring sessions looking very much like a hilarious blend of royal court jester and Cruella deVil. Her mission? To give the final four contestants “senses of inspiration and confidence.”

And to entertain us, of course.

For Haley Reinhart, that meant some psycho-like dramatics on “I (Who Have Nothing).” For conservative country boy Scotty McCreery, it meant keeping “your mouth on that microphone if your life depends on it or that (bleep) is going to leave you.”

Even James Durbin got Gaga-nated. While rehearsing his take on “Love Potion No. 9,” she goaded him into swiveling his hips like Elvis. And when he failed to do so to her utmost satisfaction, she positioned herself behind him, placed her hands on those stodgy hips and moved them herself.

“When you move those hips, it makes you sexy,” she purred.

Without a doubt, Gaga accounted for the most lively guest appearance on “Idol” this season. And it might have helped to distract viewers from what was another lousy performance by the judges, who again delivered some infuriating and inconsistent critiques — especially when it came to Reinhart.

The format this week had the finalists singing two songs — one that they found inspiring and the other from the vaunted songbook of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. (Gaga only tutored on the latter). Here’s a rundown of the performances:

James Durbin: The pride of Santa Cruz opens the show by rocking a Journey T-shirt and belting out “Don’t Stop Believin.’” It seemed like a safe choice of an overdone song and felt flat and wobbly at times. But the judges, who apparently eat up everything Durbin does, love it.

Durbin closes the night with an electrifying version of “Love Potion No. 9” that was much more adventurous and pleasing, and featured his infectious brand of strutting showmanship.

Said Jennifer Lopez, “You can sing anything.”

Haley Reinhart: It was another night of lows and highs for Haley, who once again took it on the chin after her opening performance — Michael Jackson’s environmental anthem, “Earth Song.” J. Lo knocked the song choice, saying it wasn’t popular enough (Huh?), and Randy Jackson said he felt she was “screaming at the end.” But Steven Tyler jumped to her defense, insisting they were both wrong and that she nailed it.

Ryan Seacrest, trying to make sense of the senselessness, asked, “What is she supposed to do with that concoction of feedback?”

As she did last week, Reinhart roared back with a vengeance on her second song, a gorgeous version of Ben E. King’s “I (Who Have Nothing).” It drew a standing ovation from the crowd — and the fickle judges.

Scotty McCreery: Oh, this guy knows his audience. Choosing a song that seemed calculated to please country fans and also tap into the mood of the nation, the deep-voiced crooner starts off with Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” a patriotic post-9/11 tune that touches upon Jesus, faith, hope and love. Beautifully done … and well played.

The conservative McCreery no doubt pleased his fans even more when he kissed his crucifix after his steamy session with Lady Gaga. He finishes the night mugging his way through a lighthearted take on The Coasters’ “Young Blood” that was almost as silly as it was forgettable.

Of course, the judges raved.

Lauren Alaina: After landing in the Bottom 2 last week, Lauren needs to mount a major rally. She starts off with starting off with Martina McBride’s “Anyway” and delivers some really big and impressive notes. The 62-year-old Tyler again professes his love for her. This is starting to get creepy.

For her second song, Lauren goes with Elvis Presley’s “Trouble,” even though she tells Gaga that she’s bothered by the lyric “I’m evil.” Gaga basically tells her to loosen up and get into character (A good hard slap at this point might have helped).

Lauren follows orders and goes into attack mode, slaying the song and possibly saving herself from elimination this week.